In the Mongdaw region of Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the military-led State Administration Council (SAC) is reportedly retreating under heavy pressure from the rebel Arakan Army (AA). As the junta forces pull back, Rohingya fighters are stepping in to defend their land, taking on the AA in an escalating battle.

According to sources, Rohingya forces are allegedly receiving weapons and ammunition from the Myanmar military, fueling the conflict with the Arakan Army across Rakhine State. This intensifying battle has seen Rohingya youths secretly leaving internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Rakhine and refugee camps in neighboring countries to join the fight for their homeland.

The situation is rapidly deteriorating, with reports of relentless clashes between the Arakan Army and Myanmar's military. Rohingya fighters are said to be playing a crucial role in the conflict, joining forces with local Rohingyas to resist the AA. According to a Rohingya youth, using the pseudonym Abul Mansur, around 3,000 armed Rohingyas are currently engaged in battle. He warned that if Myanmar's SAC loses to the Arakan Army, the situation could become even more dire for Rohingya fighters.

Another combatant, who goes by the name Abu Nayeem, described the intense suffering of the Rohingya people in Arakan, driving many families to flee to Bangladesh for safety. Nayeem highlighted the ongoing support efforts by Rohingyas in the conflict, including transporting supplies, water, and medicine, and constructing bunkers to aid the resistance.

Tensions from the conflict are spilling over into Bangladesh, with gunfire and explosions heard across the border, terrifying local residents. Reports indicate that homes in the Teknaf area have been damaged by the sound waves of nearby bombardments.

Some returning Rohingya fighters have shared harrowing experiences of the battle with local correspondents. According to reports, the Arakan Army has launched revenge attacks on Rohingyas who sided with Myanmar’s military, further endangering the community.

In the wake of this violence, thousands of Rohingya families are being forced to flee Mongdaw, seeking refuge in Bangladesh. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that around 40,000 Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh amid the escalating conflict, though many were reportedly pushed back by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Frustrated by the lack of effective international intervention, many Rohingyas are turning to armed struggle as their only path to freedom and the eventual return to their homeland. The ongoing violence highlights the deepening crisis faced by the Rohingya, as calls for a peaceful resolution remain unanswered by the global community.

BOB Post